Hopefully it will appear that they put the Airshow back in the Airshow. Too many people i know from Dorset have not been for a couple of years , i know they have to try different things to attract people there i know its a free air show but it needs people there spending/donating and when people who go to air shows around the Country and even abroad lose interest in it then there is a problem somewhere. Personally the night flying maybe good but for someone who has to rely on public transport back to West Dorset ( or elsewhere) afterwards its nearly impossible to go and watch it as there is no transport home. Also as quite a few friends even non aircraft enthusiasts say it seems the past few years money has been spent on the music side of things and other ground based things and not on the actual air show participants.No doubt people will come on and say I'm wrong, yes no doubt i am but its the feeling i and many friends (Aviation minded or not) have about it.

Cannot agree more, I live a walk away and last year I attended for the Saturday and that was it. I’m a massive airshow lover but you always get the same spin from the organisers, biggest and best sea side airshow!! This year I will wait and see but when friends who do not go to any other airshow other than Bournemouth start to say there’s no point in going/same old things it should make the organisers should take some note!Fingers crossed

Last year was the 1st year I didn't bother going. I know it's a free seaside show and all that but it seems to have become to commercialised and it seems that the organisers are too focused on the ground activities. The way it's going the show will eventually become "Bournemouth Ground Festival!"

I think the organisers need to go back to their roots and focus on what the initial idea was i.e. an AIR festival.

I know times have changed and things like events up the coast and the weather haven't helped but come on... if this years line up is anything like last year i won't even think about going.

One thing I have noticed is on the RAF100 website they're listing the air festival under the what's on events. Is this a giveaway to the theme of this years show? Could this mean some more interesting acts? As far as i can tell it's the only airshow apart from Abingdon & Portrush listed on the map on the what's on section.

Aviation94 wrote:One thing I have noticed is on the RAF100 website they're listing the air festival under the what's on events. Is this a giveaway to the theme of this years show? Could this mean some more interesting acts? As far as i can tell it's the only airshow apart from Abingdon & Portrush listed on the map on the what's on section.

Hardly an inspiring addition...... I'd rather, that if the council are struggling to attract acts to the largest air show in the UK (visitor numbers), more than likley due to lack of budget that they just cancel the thing instead of letting it limp on in such a pathetic way.

With such support it is a wonder that any Event Organiser spends weeks and months working to deliver a FREE event for anyone's enjoyment! If you should opt to stay away I am sure the EO will be gutted!

StevieS wrote:With such support it is a wonder that any Event Organiser spends weeks and months working to deliver a FREE event for anyone's enjoyment! If you should opt to stay away I am sure the EO will be gutted!

Calm down, love. This is an aviation forum to discuss airshows and everyone has a right to an opinion.Mine is that although Bournemouth is only an hour down the road from me I won't be attending. Lackluster line ups seem to plague seaside airshows over the past couple years and after a run of decent line ups (who can forget the Canberra/Hunter/Sea Vixen formation), Bournemouth has gone the same way.

The valued opinions of someone who has probably never been involved in trying to organsier a display. Well what would you like them to include then - and let's forget ridiculous suggestions that normally get posted in these situations because we are not going to see a Lightning II for several years - and sadly we can discount a repeat of the Canberra/Miss Demenaour/Sea Vixen trio too!

StevieS wrote:The valued opinions of someone who has probably never been involved in trying to organsier a display. Well what would you like them to include then - and let's forget ridiculous suggestions that normally get posted in these situations because we are not going to see a Lightning II for several years - and sadly we can discount a repeat of the Canberra/Miss Demenaour/Sea Vixen trio too!

I don't deal in ridiculous suggestions. Realistically whatever appears will please the public which is likely to bring in more revenue to the town than a handful of enthusiasts.

itfcscott wrote:The show has confirmed on Facebook that Sally-B will be at the show this year.

So, here we are 2 weeks on from the last post announcing that Sally B is an addition. Nothing since. Well, I'm so excited I can hardly sleep. I've been involved in the show since its inception as a Patron, but not this year. I've just been involved operationally at Abingdon and had good conversations socially with some of the display pilots there. Some of them are mystified that Bournemouth doesn't extend an invite. Maybe there is a host of acts yet to be announced, but I'm afraid at the moment it's the "same old same old". If it's budget that's the issue, then it is about time Tourism stepped up a gear or 6. For just a minute levy on business rates (only for hotels / cafes / restaurants etc) they could generate more income. Also, I'd like to know how much they charge stall holders anywhere in the catchment areas - which are extensive (lower gardens / promenade - 2 miles of it / pier approach / East Cliff / West Cliff) because boy do this lot make a killing! I hope a sensible amount of income goes to securing aircraft performers and not seen as just lining the coffers of the council. Here are just some suggestions from me to add to the festival's line up:

With RAF 100 in mind - The Red Sparrows (9 x Chipmunk - a classic RAF trainer), Utilising BHHH's incredible array of Spitfires + Hurricane & Bouchon to remember the WW2 years (OK they have BBMF, but I mean a REAL visually inspiring line up). Hopefully JP pair (Mk 5 & 3 from Jet Display). Diamond 9 9x Tiger Moth to represent this incredible trainer in which the vast majority of RAF WW2 pilots first took to the air. Gnat Display Team (no restrictions over the sea) again represent fast jet training in the 60's & 70's. T6 Harvard "Wacky Wabbit" in it's new Desert scheme.Others - how about giving Rich Goodwin a go (Muscle Pitts) - his smoke system is about the best I've seen, or local lad Peter Borchert in his new Super Pitts?

I have tweeted, facebooked and emailed the Airfest organisers multiple times over the last few years with no response, they posted on facebook about some beach huts you can hire at an extorsionate price no where near the display!!!!! Its a joke, there must be some serious cash that goes into the councils/organisers pockets. Many display acts I have spoken to would love to display at Airfest, no invites! Although Airfest have said they approach every display item poss??

A friend runs Abingdon County Fair, its early in the season so that in itself brings issues with PDA etc. They do not have much in the way of a budget, but pull off a decent display line up each year.

At least people get to watch some 90s z list band each evening near the pier

Sadly B/mth has been hit with several problems over the past couple of years. Firstly there was Shoreham, who they used to share display assets with. That in turn has seen a big demise in the classic jet scene. No Vulcan, Canberra, Hunter or Sea Vixen available which leaves a massive hole in the display. In recent years they've also been let down by foreign air arms; the Turkish F-16 and then the Swiss Hornet spring to mind.

Probably the worst thing that has happened though, is the appearance of the Scottish Show and the fact that the RAF now send their main assets there instead. All this has left B/mth in a quandry and sadly it's nothing like the show it used to be.

For me 2014 was the high point of B/mth air festival, and I doubt it'll ever be as good again.

Reds Rolling wrote:Sadly B/mth has been hit with several problems over the past couple of years. Firstly there was Shoreham, who they used to share display assets with. That in turn has seen a big demise in the classic jet scene. No Vulcan, Canberra, Hunter or Sea Vixen available which leaves a massive hole in the display. In recent years they've also been let down by foreign air arms; the Turkish F-16 and then the Swiss Hornet spring to mind.

Probably the worst thing that has happened though, is the appearance of the Scottish Show and the fact that the RAF now send their main assets there instead. All this has left B/mth in a quandry and sadly it's nothing like the show it used to be.

For me 2014 was the high point of B/mth air festival, and I doubt it'll ever be as good again.

Get what your saying, unfortunately Airfest used to be around 17-24 of August but now the council have got greedy and pushed it out to end of August/start of September so they can also make some money out of the bank holiday weekend as well!!The biggest shame is the complete lack of communication, how can people make a decision on booking up a weekend there not knowing whats on. I know lots of families who go to see the noisy jets, even these families are fed up. Its not just the enthusiast who's fed up!!!

Chinook, RAFAT, and BBMF confirmed, and the next announcement I quote "Along with civilian aircraft, the programme for this year is possibly the best we have ever had and we’ve got a really big announcement to make next month, which will be a first for Bournemouth!... Keep you eyes peeled for the announcement!". Wonder what that might be... if it's anything decent then this year might actually be a hit.

Costar1198 wrote:Chinook, RAFAT, and BBMF confirmed, and the next announcement I quote "Along with civilian aircraft, the programme for this year is possibly the best we have ever had and we’ve got a really big announcement to make next month, which will be a first for Bournemouth!... Keep you eyes peeled for the announcement!". Wonder what that might be... if it's anything decent then this year might actually be a hit.

Costar1198 wrote:Chinook, RAFAT, and BBMF confirmed, and the next announcement I quote "Along with civilian aircraft, the programme for this year is possibly the best we have ever had and we’ve got a really big announcement to make next month, which will be a first for Bournemouth!... Keep you eyes peeled for the announcement!". Wonder what that might be... if it's anything decent then this year might actually be a hit.

Hmmm interesting...

I simply cannot understand why the organisers cannot just announce what they've got when they know they've got it! At the shows I'm involved with, we always get the info out asap to encourage folk to "save the date". When making contracts with performers, the only "no show" big risks are weather or mechanical failure - so what's the problem with announcing an attraction? As for "...this year is possibly the best we have ever had..." - well show us then for crying out loud the event is 12 weeks away! I like the "....along with civilian aircraft..." implying that the civilian lot are joining a great military line up - that'll be BBMF, Chinook, Reds, B17 & GWDT so far then - hardly riveting! One observation of course is that Bournemouth is free whereas many others have to entice punters to buy advance tickets. I certainly hope therefore that this doesn't smell of arrogant complacency.